In an excerpt from Ainissa Ramirez’s recently published book, Save our Science: How to Inspire a New Generation of Scientists, she makes a strong case for a “new kind of learner” — students in the 21st century need to be able to think creatively, use critical thinking skills to find answers with limited knowledge, and possess the curiosity to pursue alternative routes when the answer is not obvious. Ramirez argues that STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) provides a critical “pathway to be curious, to create, and to think and figure things out.”
She writes:
“Now imagine that knowledge is a multisided box. When we teach children to simply memorize material so they can pass tests, we give children access to the knowledge on only one side of the box. So when life tosses this box up (as it certainly will), it may not land on a side that is visible and accessible. In this case, the kids don’t have access to the knowledge.”
The new essential skills of this generation are the curiosity and problem-solving that will allow kids to access all sides of the box.
We here at Cardinal Scholars teach to all sides of the box. Is your student missing a side? Let us know and we’ll flip things around for ya.